Power steering mechanism and follow-up control valve therefor



. 2, 1948. E J. RINGER 2,457,728

POWER STEERIN MECHANISM AND FOLLOW-UP CONTROL VALVE THEREFOR Filed May28, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 28, 1948.. E J RlNGER 2,457,728

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POWER STEERING MECHANISM AND FOLLOW-UP CONTROL VALVE THEREFOR Filed May28, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet Z INVENT' OR.

BY fa/z/fd/Pwaa? Patented Dec. 28, 1948' LOW-UP CONTROL VALVE THEREFOREvue J. Ringer, South Bend, Ind., assignor to Bendix AviationCorporation, South Bend, Ind.,

a corporation of Del 8 Claims.

This invention relates in general to steering mechanism and inparticular to 'a pressure differential operated power means foroperating the steering mechanism of an automotive vehicle.

The principal object of my invention is to provide, in the power plantof an automotive vehicle, an engine consisting of two pressuredifferential operated motors said engines serving to supplement thephysical effort of the driver in the operation of steering the vehicle,

Yet another object of my invention is to provide means, including aplurality of double acting presure differential operated motors, foraiding the driver in the operation of steering an automotive vehiclesaid motors being controlled in part by a double acting follow-up valvemechanism which may be referred to as a master valve and by a so-calledfeel mechanism whereby the driver is advised of the degree of forceexerted by the power means.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple and efiectivepower means for supplementing the physical effort of the driver of anautomotive .vehicle in the operation of steering aware Application May28, 1945, Serial No. 596,309

said vehicle said power means including a multimotored vacuumenginepreferably mounted on the end of the steering column of the vehicle saidengine being controlled by a rotary distributor valve and a manually andpower operated followup master valve operable to initiate theoperaticn'of said distributor valve.

A further object of my invention is to provide power means forsupplementing the physical effort of the driver in the operationofsteering an automotive vehicle said power means including a pluralityof concurrently operable pressure difierential operated motorscontrolled by a rotaryv valve mechanism the operation of said motorsbeing initiated by the operation of a master control valve operated bythe driver when he turns the steering wheel.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a simple yeteffective combined manually and power operated mechanism for eflectingthe steering operation of an automotive vehicle, said mechanism beingeasily serviced and including but a minimum of moving parts.

A further object of my invention is to provide a compact power andmanually operated mechanism which may be mounted upon the steering postof an automotive vehicle said mechanism serving to actuate the pitmanarm of the steering mechanism of the vehicle. I

Other objects and advantages of the invention are referred to inconnection with the folwing detailed description of theaccompanyrepresent a preferred embodiment of the invention. Afterconsidering this example, skilled persons will understand that manyvariations may be made without depart- Figure 4 is a sectional view,taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, disclosing details of the rotarydistributor valve for controlling the operation of the pressuredifferential operated motors of the mechanism;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the follow-up valve and feel diaphragmunit constituting a part of the control means of my invention; and

Figure 6 is a view, taken on the line 6-5 of Figure 2, disclosingdetails of the valve operating gear mechanism.

Referring now toFigure 1' disclosing the principal elements of apreferred embodiment of my invention a two motor engine In is mounted"on the end of the steering column l2. The'motors of said unit indicatedby the reference numerals l4 and IS in Figure 3, are operably connectedby connecting rods I 8 and 20 respectively with a crankshaft 22; andsaid motors are controlled by a rotary distributor valve unit 24 and amanually and power operated follow/"up master valve unit 26 said latterunit including a so-called feel mechanism indicated as a whole by thereference numeral 28, Figure 5.

A hollow steering post 30 is rotated by a steering wheel 32 and to thelower end of the steering column [2 there, is secured a casing 33 whichhouses a two-part valve operating member 34. As disclosed in Figure 2the two parts 35 and 35 of the member 34 are shaped to mesh with eachother there being a certain amount of valve operating lost motion to betaken up before the lower part 35 ofsaid member is rotated by a rotationof the upper part 35' of said member;

and this lost motion is indicated by the letter L. The upper part 35' ofthe member 84 is drivably connected to the lower end of the steeringpost 30 and the lower part 35 of the member 34 is drivably connected tothe upper end of aworm member 36 which member meshes with pins, notshown, mounted on the ends of crank arms 30 and 40; and the lattermembers are operably connected to a so-calied pitman arm in turnconnected by a drag link 44 to other parts of the conventional steeringmechanism 40 of an automotive vehicle. This steering mechanism serves torotate the front wheels of the vehicles one of said wheels beingindicated by the reference numeral 48.

As disclosed in Figure 3 the casings of the motors i4 and I6 arepivotally mounted, at 48 and 49' respectively, upon a, casing member 50said casing, as disclosed in Figure 2, being detachabiy secured to acasing member 52 by fastening members 54. The casing'member 52 housesthe aforementioned pitman arm operating worm and crank mechanism and toone end of said casing there is secured the aforementioned casing 33which houses the two-part member 34 and the hereinafter described valveoperating mechanism.

As disclosed in Figure 2 the crankshaft 22 is operably connected to therotary distributor valve 24 by means of a crank 50 and said shaft isoperably connected to a driving pinion 60 by means of a crank 62. Thepinion 60 meshes with the teeth 64 of a two-part gear member 36 the hubportion of said member being connected to the lower end of the wormmember 56.

The rotary valve 24, which serves to concurrently control theenergization of the motors I4 and I6 for operation in oppositedirections, includes a casing comprising members 80, I and 12 saidcasing housing rotatable valve members I4 and I6 which are preferablykeyed to a valve operating shaft 18. As disclosed in Figures 2 and 4 thevalve members I4, and it which are pressed into contact with theadjacent valve casing members by a spring 80, are both recessed toprovide arcuate slots.

As disclosed in Figure (l the valve member "I6 is provided with slots 82and 34 shown in full lines; and the valve member I4 is provided withslots 86 and 88 shown in dotted lines. To connect these four slots withthe follow-up valve 26 there are provided two conduits 90 and 02,Figures 2 and 3, the conduit 90 being connected to a port 94 in thecasing member I2 said port being connected, by a duct 38, with a port 95in the casing member 68. The conduit 92 is connected to a port I00 inthe casing member 08; and this port I00 is connected, by a duct I04,with a port I02 in the casing member 10. The four slots 82, 84, 06 and88 are connected to the double-acting motors I4 and I6 by the fourconduits disclosed in Figure 4 and of these conduits those numbered I06and I08 are connected to opposite ends of the motor I4 and thosenumbered IIO and H2 are connected to the opposite ends of the motor I6.The valve casing member 12 is provided, with a duct H4, Figure 4,serving to interconnect the conduit I06 with one or the other of theslots 82 and 84 depending upon the angular position of the rotatablevalve member 16; and the valve casing I2 is provided with a duct I16serving to interconnect the conduit I08 with one or the other of theslots 82 or 84 depending upon the angular position of said valve member16. As to the air transmitting connection between the motor I6 and theslots 88 and 86 the conduits 42 which is slots by ducts H8 H0 and H2 areconnected respectively with said and I20 in the valve casing I2.

No claim is made to the' follow-up and feel master valve unit 28disclosed in detail in Figure 5, accordingly, the same will onlybebriefiy described. A hollow casing I22 of sa d unit is provided-withatmospheric ports I24 and I26 preferably connected with air cleaners,one of which is disclosed in Figure 1 and is identified by the referencenumeral I25; and said casing is further provided with a vacuum port I28connected, by a conduit I30, with the intake manifold I32 of an internalcombustion engine I34. The casing member I22 is also provided with portsI36 and I38 connected respectively with the aforementioned conduits 02and leading to the rotary distributor valve 24. One end of the valvecasing I22 is shaped to provide one half of the easing of theaforementioned feel motor 28 the power element I40 of said motor beingoperably connected, by a rod I42 and an angular shaped link I44, withvalve operating gearing operably connected to the two-part valveoperated member 34.

This valve operating gearing, which is similar in operation to theconventional differential gearing of the passenger car automobile of theday, includes bevel gears I46 and I48 keyed respectively to the parts 35and 35 of the valve operating member 34; and both of said gears are inmesh with a pinion gear I50 and a pinion gear I5I the gear I50 beingprovided with a driving pin I52 extending off center from its face andlocated near its periphery, all as is disclosed in Figure 6. This pinI52 fits within a slot I49 in a ring member I54 said member beingprovided with an opening to receive a pin I56 mounted in the lower endof the link I44.

Describing the operation of the valve operating gearing mechanism whenthe steering wheel 32 is rotated, say clockwise, to effect acorresponding rotation of the steering post 30 then the pinion gear I50is rotated counterclockwise by virtue of the fact that the gear I46 isat the time stationary; and this operation will, by virtue of the bodilymovement of the ring I54 effected by the angular movement of the pinI52, effect a valve opening lineal movement of the valve operating rodI42. Now as will be described in greater detail hereinafter this valveopening operation of the steering wheel results in an energization ofthe vacuum driver subsequently arrests the movement of the steeringwheel the continued movement of the valve operating member 35 under theaction of the engine I0 will result in a reversal of the direction ofangular movement of the pinion I50 to reverse the lineal movement of therod I42 thereby effecting a lapping operation of the valve unit 26.

Continuing the description of the parts of the control unit 26, Figure5, valve members I58 and I60, mounted on the rod I42, are biased to theleft and right respectively by a spring I62 said spring forcing saidvalve members toward stops I64. Valve members I66 and I'68 are likewisebiased, by a spring I10, against stops I64.

Now the parts of the above described mechanism are so constructed andarranged that when the internal combustion engine I34 is dead, the frontwheels are positioned in their straight ahead position, and the driverhas removed his hands from the steering wheel, then the parts of themechanism assume the position disclosed in the several figures of thedrawing; and referring to the unit26 in particular it is to be notedthat engine I0 and if thepartially evacuated.

at this time the valve members I, m, m and I68 arejpositioned to connectboth conduits 80 and 82 with the intake manifold, that is the source ofvacuum power. It is apparent therefore that the motors I4 and I6 arewhat is known in the art as vacuum suspended motors, that is both endsof both of said motors are connected to the source of vacuum when saidmotors are deenergized.

Descrbing the operation of the combined power and manually operatedsteering mechanism constituting my invention it will be assumed that theengine is idling and this being true both ends of the motors I4 and I6,will, by virtue of their connections with the intake manifold, be

To eil'ect a right turn operation of the mechanism the driver rotatesthe steering wheel 82 clockwise and this operation results, by virtue ofthe lost motion at L and the operation of the gears I50 and NI and ringI84, in a lineal movement of the rod I42 to the left,

Figure 5. This operation results in an expansion.

of the spring I10 to eil'ect a seating of the valve member I66 upon avalve seat I12 and a concurrent compression of the spring I62 toincrease the spacing of the valve member I60 from a seat I14; and thisleftward movement of the rod I42 then results in the valve member I68being moved off of a valve seat I16. The latter operation vents acompartment I18 of the so-called feel motor 28 to the atmosphere via theport I26 connected with an air c eaner. Figure l, a valve compartmentI80 and a duct I82 in the valve casing I22, Now a chamber I84 of themotor 28 is at this time connected to the intake manifold via a duct I86extending through the rod I42, and opening I88 in said rod, a valvecompartment I90, the interior of the valve casing I22, the valve portI28 and the conduit I80.

It follows therefore that when the driver rotates the steering wheel toeifect a right turn operation of the steering mechanism that immediatelyafter the valve 26 is opened the feel motor 28, by virtue of thediil'erential of pressures acting upon its power element I40, functionsto resist said turning movement of the steering wheel. Now thisresistance to movement of the steering wheel is known in the art as tooland. as will be made apparent from the description to follow, the degreeof this resistance is directly proportional to the degree ofenerglzation of the motors I4 and I8,

Continuing the description of the operation of the mechanism of myinvention when the valve member I68 is unseated, that is when the mastervalve 26 is opened as described above, then an operation of thedistributor valve 24 is initiated. Explaining the latter operationthelower end of the motor I4 is vented to the atmosphere via port I 26,compartment I80, conduit 80, portf'84 and slot 82 in the valve 24, andconduit I06 only a portion of which is shown in Figure 2. The upper endof the motor I6, that is that end farthest away from the crankshait22,is at the same time vented to the atmosphere via conduit 60, thepassages 94 98 and 86 in the valve 24, slot 86 an the duct I in saidvalve, and conduit H0. The upper end of the motor I4 and the lower endof the motor I6 are at this time connected with the intake manifold, theconnect'on with the uper end of the motor l4 including the conduit I80,the interior of the valve casing, the valve compartment I80, conduit 82.ducts I04 and I02 in the valve 24, slot 84 and duct :i'il in said valveand the conduit I08; and

1 steering wheels.

1 motor I6 and the cluster of gears I46,

the connection between the lower end of the intake manifold includingthe conduit 82, the duct I00, the slot 88 and the duct H8 in the valve24, and the conduit II2.

It is apparent thereforethat with the aforementioned opening of themaster valve 26 there results a simultaneous or substantiallysimultaneous energization of both of the vacuum suspended motors I4 andI6 the power elements thereof being subjected to a force whichresults ina, rotation of the crank 22; and the operation or said crank results,through the intermediary or the above described gearing 60, 64, pitmanarm 42 and other force transmitting means, in the desired right turnoperation of the vehicle As to the operation of the vacuum engine I0 theparts of said engine, including the motors I4 and I6 and the slots ofthe rotary control valve 24, are so-constructed and arranged that theoperation of said motors is continuous once the operation is initiatedby an opening of the valve 26. In other words the operation of the valve24, particularly as a result of the arrangement of. the slots 82, 84, 86and 68 is such that the direction of operation of the motors I4 and I6is reversed at the proper time.

Now the above described operation of the steering mechanism is eflectedimmediately after the valve 26 is opened, that is after the rod I42 ismoved to unseat the valve member I68; however as explained above itis tobe noted that to maintain this operation the driver must continue therotation of the steering wheel to keep said valve open; and in doing sohe exert suillcient physical force to aid the motors I4 and I6 in theiroperation of the mechanism. Explaining this operation it is to beremembered that after the lost motion at L is taken up by the abovedescribed valve cracking operation then continued movement of thesteering wheel will result in the power operation of the steeringmechanism being aided by the physical efiort oi the driver; and it isalso to be noted that if the power means fails then the steeringoperation is eil'ected solely by the physical effort of the driv er.Explaining the latter operation the I48, I50 and I5I bodily move in thering I64 said ring being at the time stationary.

Explaining now the follow-up and feel operation of the steeringmechanism or my invention if during the above discussed operation thedriver should arrest the movement of the steering wheel immediatelyafter the valve 26 is cracked then the resulting rotation of the wormmember 36 by the operation of the motors I4 and I6 results in a reversalof the direction of movement of the valve and maintain the gization ofsaid motors. Describing the lapping operation of the valve 26 thereversal of movement of the rod I42 results in an expansion of thespring member I10 to seat the valve member I68 thereby cutting off theflow of air into the chamber I18 of the feel motor 26 and into themotors I4 and I6. If this follow-up operation of the valve 26 isrepeated, for example when the driver is slowly moving the steeringwheel when parking the car or moving the front wheels when the vehicleis mired in the mud, then the degree of gaseous pressure in the controlchambers of the motors I4, I6 and 28 is increased and the driver is. bythe operation of the feel motor 28,

then exist ng enerwlll probably will be effected during this left 'anismor a enemas engine iii.

the reverse of the right turn operation Just described, accordingly,said left turn operation will not be described in detail. Suilice it tosay that when the steering wheel is turned counterclock wise the valvemember N8 of the valve 28 is unseated thereby initiating the operationof the vacuum engine 80 to aid the driver in efiecting the left turnoperation of the steering wheels; and an inspection of Figures 2 andwill make it apparent that the above described follow-up to lap and feeloperation ofthe control mechanism turn operation.

There is thus provided'by the mechanism of my invention a compact andemcient manually and power operated steering mechanism well adapted tobe incorporated in a conventional automotive steerin mechanism of theday.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description and it will beapparent that various changes may construction and arrangement of theparts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention orsacrificing all of its material advantages, the forms hereinbeforedescribed being'merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In an automotive vehicle provided with a steering mechanism includinga pitman arm, a steering wheel and and manually operated means foreffecting either a power operation of the steering mechmanual operationof said mechanism in the event of failure to effect a power operation ofthe mechanism, or a combined power and manual operation of saidmechanism; said power and manually operated means including amultimotored vacuum engine a rotary valve for controlling the operationof said engine by providing fluid passages in communication with therespective motors of said engine, a manually and power operatedfollow-up to lap valve for both initiating and cutting oil the flow ofpressure fluid to and from the aforementioned rotary control valvewhereby to effect an operation of the multi-motored engine; and forcetransmitting means, interconnecting the steering wheel, themulti-motored engine, the pitman arm and the follow-up to lap valve.

2. Mechanism for of the steering mechanism of an automotive vehicle saidactuating mechanism comprising a multi-motored vacuum engine mounted othe lower end of the steeringcolumn of the steering mechanism, a rotarydistributor valve for controlling the operation of said engine byproviding fluid passages in communication with the respective motors ofsaid engine, a master follow-up to lap valve for initiating and cuttingoff the flow of pressure fluid to and. from the distributor valvewhereby to effect an operation of the multimotored engine, 'forcetransmitting means, including a rod, for operating said follow-up to lapvalve. force transmitting means interconnecting the steering wheel ofthe vehicle with the aforementioned force transmitting means, and otherforce transmitting means, including a member cooperating with a part ofthe second mentioned force transmitting means to provide a lost motionconnection, interconnecting the pitman arm, the power elements of theengine motors and the power loading being then be made in the form,

actuating the pitman arm turn steering operation of the I, mechanism ofmy invention this operation is just a steering column; power I firstmentioned force transmitting means whereby there is provided powermeans, the operation of which is initiated and cut oil. by an operationof the follow-up valve, for supplementing the manual effort of thedriver in effecting a steering operation of the pitman arm.

3. Mechanism for actuating the pitman arm of the steering mechanism ofan automotive vehicle said actuating mechanism comprising amulti-motored vacuum engine mounted on the lower end of the steeringcolumn of the steering mechanism, a rotary two-part distributor vave forcontrolling the operation of said engine said valve being operablyconnected to the power elements of the motors of said engine, a masterfollow-up to lap valve for initiating and cutting off the flow of fluidpressure'to and from the distributor valve whereby of the multi-motoredengine said follow-up valve being also mounted on the vehicle steeringcolumn, force transmitting means, including a rod, for operating saidfollow-up to lap valve, force transmitting means interconnecting thesteering wheel of the vehicle with the aforementioned force transmittingmeans, and other force transmitting means, including a membercooperating with a part of the second mentioned force transmitting meansto provide a lost motion-connection, interconnecting the pitman arm, thepower elements of the engine motors andthe first ment'oned forcetransmitting means whereby there is provided a steering column mountedpower means. the operation of which is initiated and cut off by anoperation of the follow-up valve, for supplementing the manual effort ofthe driver in effecting a steering operation of the pitman arm.

4. In an automotive vehicle provided with a steering mechanism includinga pitman arm, a

steering wheel and a steering column; power,

and manually operated means for effecting a power operation of thesteering mechanism or a manual operation of said mechanism in the eventof a failure to effect a power operation of the mechanism, or a combinedpower and manual operation of said steerin mechanism; said power andmanually operated means including a multimotored vacuum engine mountedon the steering column, a rotary valve, actuated by the power elementsof the engine by providing fluid passages in communication with therespective motors of said engine, for controlling the operation of saidengine, a manually and power operated follow-up to lap valve, includinga casing member and a reciprocable valve operated rod extending withinsaid ca'ung member. for both ini ati g and cutting Off the flow ofpressure fluid to and from the aforementioned rotary control valvewhereby to effect an operation of the multi-motored engine; and forcetransmitting means, including a lost mot'on connection operable to makepossible the lapping operation of the follow-up to lap valve,interconnecting the steering wheel, the pitman arm, the multi-motoredengine, and the follow-up to lap valve.

5. In an automotive vehicle provided with a steering mechanism includinga pitman arm, a steering wheel and a steering column; power and manuallyoperated means for effecting either a power operation of the steeringmechanism or a manual operation of said mechanism in the event offailure to effect a power operation of the mechanism, or a combinedpower and manual to effect an operation motored vacuum engine of themechanism, or a combined 9 mounted on the steerin column, a two partrotary valve, actuated by the power elements of the several motors ofthe vacuum engine, for controlling the operation of said enginebyproviding fluid passages in com munication with the respective motors ofsaid engine, a follow-up to lap valve for initiating and cutting of! theflow of pressure fluid to and from the rotary valve whereby to efiect anoperation of the multi-motored engine, fluid transmitting meansinterconnecting the two aforemem tioned valves, and force transmittingmeans, including lost motion means, interconnecting the steering wheel,the follow-up to lap valve.

6. In an automotive vehicle provided with a steering mechanism includinga pitman arm, a steering wheel and a steering column; power and manuallyoperated means for effecting either a power operation of the steeringmechanism or a manual operation of said meohanim in the the pitman arm,the engine and event of a failure to effect a power operation of themechanism, or a combined power and manual operation of said mechanism;said power and manually operated means including a multi motored vacuumengine mounted on the steering column, a two-part rotary valve, actuatedby the power elements of the several motors of the vacuum engine, forcontrolling the operation of said engine by providing fluid passages incommunication with the respective motors of said engine, a follow-up tolap valve for initiating and cutting off the flow of pressure fluid toand from the rotary valve whereby to efiect an operation of themulti-motored engine, means, mounted on the follow-up to lap valve, foradvising the driver, as he actuates the steering wheel, of the degree offorce being exerted by the vacuum engine, fluid transmitting meansinterconnecting the two aforementioned valves, and forcetransmittingvmeans, including a lost motion means, interconnecting thesteering wheel, the pitman arm, the vacuum engine and the follow-up tolap valve.

7. In an automotive vehicle provided with a steering mechanism includinga pitman arm, a steering wheel and a steering column; power and manuallyoperated means for eifecting either a power operation of the steeringmechanism or a manual operation of said mechanism in the event of afailure to efiect a power operation power and manual operation of themechanism; said power and manually operated means including amultimotored vacuum engine, a rotary distributor valve for controllingthe operation of said entransmitting elements.

'further' including a nest 1 7 pressure fluid to and from thedistributor valve, and force transmitting means interconnecting thepower elements of the motors of the vacuum engine, the pitman arm, thesteering wheel and the follow-up to lap ting means including a forcetransmitting element connected to the pitman arm and power elements ofthe motors of the vacuum engine, a force transmitting element connectedto the steering wheel and having a lost motion connection with theaforementioned element, said force transmitting means further includinga nest of gears interconnecting the follow-up to lap valve with saidaforementioned two force 8. In an automotive vehicle provided with asteerin mechanism including a pitman arm, a

- steering wheel and a steering column; power and manually operatedmeans for efiecting either a power operation of the steering mechanismor a manual operation of said mechanism in the event of failure toefiect a power operation of the mechanism, or a combined power andmanual operation of the mechanism; said power and ,manually operatedmeans including a multi motored vacuum engine, a rotary distributorvalve for controlling the operation of said engine by providing fluidpassages in communication with the respective motors of said engine, amanually and power operated eluding a casing and a reciprocable valveoperated rod extending within the casing, for initiating and cutting ofithe flow of pressure fluid to and from the distributor valve, and forcetransmitting means interconnecting the power elements of the motors ofthe vacuum engine, the pitman arm, the steering wheel and the followupvalve, said force transmitting means including a force transmittingelement connected to the pitman arm and to the power elements of themotors of the vacuum engine, a force transmitting element connected tothe steering wheel said latter element having a lost motion connectionwith the aforementioned force transmitting element, said forcetransmitting means of gears interconnecting the follow-up valve withsaid aforementioned two force transmitting elements.

EVUE J. RINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS valve, said force transmit-' follow-up valve, in-

